10x10 vs 10x15 vs 10x20 – What Size Booth Should You Choose?

You open the exhibitor kit. You scroll past deadlines, badge rules, carpeting. Then you hit the line that causes more stress than almost anything else:

“Select your booth size: 10x10, 10x15, 10x20…”

Now what.

A lot of people just pick 10x10 because it is the default. Some stretch to 10x20 because “bigger must be better.” Very few actually sit down and ask, “What size booth do I really need for the way I sell, demo, and talk to people.”

Honestly, size confusion is one of the top questions we hear from small businesses and growing brands. And it makes sense. Booth size affects everything: how you lay out your space, how many people you can talk to, how tired your team feels, and of course, how much you spend.

The goal of this guide is simple. By the time you are done, you will know exactly when a 10x10 is perfect, when a 10x15 is that sweet middle ground, and when a 10x20 actually makes sense instead of just draining your budget.

We are going to walk through space planning, foot traffic, budgets, and real examples. We will also plug in some PrintDrill booth ideas, so you can see how backdrops, canopy tents, counters, table covers, and banners all fit into different footprints.

Grab a coffee. Let’s figure out your booth size properly, not by guessing.

Why is choosing the right booth size such a big deal?

On paper, these sizes look simple.

• 10x10 = 100 square feet
• 10x15 = 150 square feet
• 10x20 = 200 square feet

But those extra 50 or 100 square feet change more than just how wide your back wall is. They change:

• How many visitors can stand inside without feeling cramped
• Whether you can do live demos or just static displays
• How many staffers you can have without tripping over each other
• How “important” your brand looks on the floor
• How fast or slow your traffic flows

Most trade show spaces start at 10x10. It is by far the most common booth size in B2B shows, because it is affordable and fits neatly into floor plans that are built around 10 foot increments.

You will also see a lot of 10x20 booths, especially from brands that want more open space and multiple demo points. 10x15 is less common as a floor size, but many events offer flexible configurations in 10 foot width and 5 foot depth increments. When they do, 10x15 can be a very smart “go bigger” step without jumping all the way to 200 square feet.

And then there is the cost side.

Booth space is usually sold by the square foot. Recent industry reports put average exhibit hall space at around 21 dollars per square foot on the low end, and many major shows are more like 100 to 150 dollars per square foot once you include premium locations and services.

That means:

• 10x10 can run from a couple thousand dollars for space alone
• 10x20 can easily be double that, before you even ship a single crate

So yeah, choosing the right size matters. It is not just aesthetics. It is traffic, comfort, perception, and serious money.

What is each booth size really best for?

Let’s start with the big picture. What is each size actually good at, in real life, after you have seen hundreds of booths on show floors.

Here is a comparison table you can use as a starting point.

Quick stat: Many shows say the “standard” exhibitor footprint is still a 10x10 inline space because it balances cost, visibility, and staffing needs for most small and medium brands. 

How do 10x10, 10x15, and 10x20 booths compare?

Booth Size	Total Space	Best For	Typical Foot Traffic Handling	Pros	Watch Out For
10x10	100 sq ft	First time exhibitors, solo founders, small teams	2 staff + 2 to 4 visitors comfortably	Lowest cost, easy to design, faster setup	Can feel cramped, limited demo space
10x15	150 sq ft	Growing brands, multiple products, simple demos	2 to 3 staff + 4 to 6 visitors	More breathing room, better flow, extra display or seating	Higher cost, requires more planning
10x20	200 sq ft	Established brands, interactive demos, meetings	3 to 4 staff + 6 to 10 visitors	Strong visual presence, multiple zones, more storage	Space and build costs jump significantly

 

 

 

Now let’s unpack each one in plain language.

When does a 10x10 booth actually shine?

A 10x10 is perfect when:

• You are just starting with trade shows
• You have 1 or 2 core products or services
• You do not need people to hang out for long
• You want a simple layout that is hard to mess up

Think of a 10x10 as your minimal viable booth. You can still do a lot with it:

• One full height fabric backdrop for your main branding
• One branded counter for demos or literature
• One small table with a laptop or samples
• One or two retractable banners at the sides
• A printed table cover if the show provides a table

If you use a PrintDrill full back wall backdrop, a branded counter, and a custom table cover, a 10x10 can look surprisingly “big” even on a crowded floor. You just need to keep the layout clean and not over-stuff it.

When does 10x15 feel like the sweet spot?

10x15 is the “I want more room but I do not want to be huge” size.

It is great when:

• You have multiple product lines or categories
• You want a clear demo spot plus a conversation spot
• You often have two or three staffers on duty at once
• You like having one small seating area without blocking traffic

In layout terms, 10x15 lets you do something like:

• 10 feet of back wall for your main brand
• 5 feet off to one side for a vertical display or shelf
• A small island style counter closer to the front
• Enough open floor so visitors can enter and not feel trapped

If you pair a PrintDrill 10 foot backdrop with a secondary half wall or freestanding banner on the extra 5 foot side, you can visually separate “discovery” on one side from “deep dive conversations” on the other.

When does a 10x20 booth actually make sense?

A 10x20 is not just a bigger 10x10. It is a different animal.

It makes sense when:

• You offer several solutions and want separate demo zones
• You see high traffic at shows and need room to absorb it
• You want meeting style conversations, not just quick chats
• You are doing live demos, tastings, or hands on trials

You can:

• Split the booth into two clear zones, like “Product A” and “Product B”
• Add a small seating area with two chairs and a cafe table
• Include shelving, a counter, and a freestanding banner or LED backdrop
• Keep at least a 6 foot wide clear path for visitors to enter and circulate

Remember, a 10x20 usually comes with more visual expectations too. You will be compared to other mid sized booths. Your graphics, lighting, and layout need to feel intentional, not just “we stretched a 10x10 design.”

A 10x20 is a great candidate for a full PrintDrill trade show booth kit: tension fabric back wall, side returns, double printed counters, floor graphics, and hanging banners if the venue allows.

How should you plan space differently in 10x10, 10x15, and 10x20 booths?

Now we get into the part that actually decides whether your booth feels welcoming or like a storage unit.

If you only remember one thing from this section, let it be this: leave room for people, not just things.

There is a rule of thumb that one person needs roughly 10 to 15 square feet to stand and move comfortably, depending on how dense the crowd is. Combine that with the expected number of staffers and you quickly see how tight a small booth can become.

There is also a classic recommendation that you should have about one staffer for every 50 square feet of booth space. So, a 10x10 should have roughly 2 staffers at most on duty, while a 10x20 tops out around 4.

Let’s look at how to plan space inside each size.

How should you lay out a 10x10 booth?

In a 10x10, every inch counts. The smartest layout is usually something like:

• Back wall: one big visual story. Use a full width PrintDrill fabric backdrop that clearly says who you are and what problem you solve.
• Front zone: keep the front 3 to 4 feet mostly open. Do not block the entrance with a table. Let people walk in.
• Side zone: if you must use a table, push it to one side, not in the middle. Better yet, use a compact branded counter from PrintDrill that doubles as storage.
• Storage: hide boxes inside your counter or under a table with a fitted table cover.

Common mistakes in 10x10:

• Blocking the entire front with a long table. That creates a wall and keeps people at arm’s length.
• Using too much furniture. Two chairs, a big table, a counter, plus a literature rack will instantly choke the space.
• Putting small items on the floor. It looks messy and eats up standing room.

If you are under 100 square feet, think in terms of “one hero graphic, one main surface, one clear walking path.”

How does space planning change in a 10x15 booth?

In a 10x15, you get to breathe a little.

You can:

• Keep a wide open “welcome strip” at the front
• Have your main PrintDrill backdrop across the 10 foot back wall
• Use the extra 5 feet side as a dedicated product or demo zone
• Place a small high top table for quick laptop demos or sign ups

A simple layout might look like this:

• Left side: vertical shelving or a side banner with product benefits
• Center: open entry, maybe a smaller counter pulled slightly in
• Right side: demo area with tablet stand or sample display

The extra 5 feet makes a big difference for visitor flow. People can step in, move toward the side, and give space for the next visitor. You can also handle small clusters of 3 to 5 people without everyone bumping elbows.

How can you create real “zones” in a 10x20?

A 10x20 is where zoning really kicks in. Think of it as two 10x10s living next door to each other. You can:

• Dedicate the left half to discovery: big visuals, simple messaging, top of funnel conversations.
• Dedicate the right half to depth: demos, samples, one-to-one talks, mini meetings.

Possible layout idea:

• Back wall: 20 foot wide PrintDrill fabric back wall with a clear central headline and two side stories or product categories.
• Left front: open, welcoming, maybe a small freestanding banner angled to catch traffic.
• Right middle: PrintDrill counter with storage and a screen or tablet on top for demos.
• Rear right or corner: two chairs and a cafe style table for slightly longer conversations.

You can also play with diagonal furniture placement to keep visitors naturally flowing rather than stopping in one clogged spot.

What can you realistically fit in each booth size without overcrowding?

Almost every exhibitor overestimates how much furniture and hardware they can fit into their space. Then they see it in real life and realize the booth feels like a storage closet.

Let’s be practical here. Think about:

• People first
• Visibility second
• Furniture third

Here are realistic, “this actually works” layouts by size.

What fits well in a 10x10 booth?

Good, practical combo ideas:

• One full PrintDrill tension fabric backdrop
• One small or medium counter (ideally with hidden storage)
• One or two retractable banners if they are pushed to the sides
• One small sample shelf or narrow brochure stand

Try to avoid:

• Full sized tables in the very front
• Multiple big racks or shelves
• More than two chairs

If you are doing a 10x10 with a canopy tent instead of an indoor frame, you can still think the same way. A PrintDrill custom canopy tent at 10x10, paired with a printed table cover and one or two flags, fills the space visually without cramming the floor.

What fits well in a 10x15 booth?

In a 10x15, you can safely add:

• One full 10 foot backdrop from PrintDrill
• One main counter at the center or slightly to the side
• One narrow table or shelf on the extra 5 foot area
• One small seating pair (two stools or one bench) in a corner

You can also get away with more vertical display: mesh racks, hanging hooks, or a second freestanding banner. Just watch that you still have wide open entry and at least one escape route so visitors do not feel trapped.

What fits well in a 10x20 booth?

In a 10x20, things get fun. Examples:

• One 20 foot PrintDrill back wall, or a 10 foot back wall plus a side wall or “L” shape
• One or two counters, one for quick questions, one for demos
• One dedicated shelving or product wall
• One small meeting corner with two to four stools
• Possibly a floor graphic to anchor the whole space

You should still not jam it full of furniture. Try to leave a clear 6 to 8 foot central aisle so people can walk, stop, and shift as more arrive.

Is there a simple “fit” checklist you can use?

You can use this rough guide:

If your furniture list is twice what fits into that table, you are almost guaranteed to have a cramped booth.

 

 

How does booth size change your budget and ROI picture?

Now the slightly painful part: cost.

Let’s keep this grounded. You are not just deciding “do I want more space.” You are deciding how much of your show budget goes into flooring you stand on versus experiences you create.

How do space costs usually scale with size?

Space is normally priced per square foot. One recent summary puts average exhibit hall booth space at around 21 dollars per square foot, with many large shows charging 100 to 150 dollars per square foot after fees and services.

That means, very roughly:

• 10x10, 100 square feet, could start around 2,000 dollars and climb into the five figure range at big shows.
• 10x20, 200 square feet, can be 2 times that, or more for premium locations.

Separate reports also show that a basic 10x10 booth setup can cost from 1,000 to over 10,000 dollars for the hardware, while larger 20x20 exhibits can go into tens of thousands or more.

You do not need exact numbers to see the pattern. Bigger space multiplies not just your rent but everything:

• Flooring cost
• Shipping cost
• Material handling and drayage
• Electrical drops and lighting
• Staffing needs

How can you think about ROI per square foot?

Here is a useful mind shift. Instead of thinking “Is 10x20 better than 10x10,” think “Can I generate more value per square foot.”

For example, say you:

• Rent a 10x10 and spend 8,000 dollars total for space, booth, and travel
• Collect 80 qualified leads
• That is basically 100 dollars per lead

Now imagine:

• You rent a 10x20 and your total cost jumps to 15,000 dollars because of space and more hardware
• You collect 130 qualified leads with the extra presence and demo space

Your cost per lead is about 115 dollars. Not necessarily better. You spent more and got more, but efficiency dropped slightly.

On the other hand, if that 10x20 setup helped you close one or two big accounts that would not have noticed you in a small booth, it may be totally worth it.

There is no “right” size from a pure ROI lens. But a good rule is:

• If you are still figuring out your messaging, start at 10x10 or 10x15.
• If your offer is proven and you know shows work for you, a 10x20 can amplify results.

How much should you reserve for the actual booth build?

Remember, the booth itself is usually a fraction of your overall event spend. Studies show that in many cases, booth space, travel, and show services eat the majority of the budget, with the physical display being a smaller but very visible portion.

That is why you want the booth hardware to punch above its weight. A smart layout with a PrintDrill tension fabric system, counters with storage, and clean graphics can look very high end without you spending custom exhibit money.

 

 

Which real world scenarios match each booth size best?

Sometimes it is easier to see yourself in someone else’s situation. Let’s walk through a few common exhibitor types and match them with realistic booth sizes.

What should a startup or solo founder pick?

Scenario: You are a startup founder or small service provider. Maybe it is your first or second show. You are doing a lot yourself: sales, demos, setup, teardown. You probably have 1 or 2 team members tops.

Best size in most cases: 10x10

Why:

• Lower cost while you are still testing trade shows as a channel
• Easier to staff with 1 to 2 people
• Less pressure to fill a big space with furniture or graphics
• You can still create a highly professional look with one strong PrintDrill backdrop, one counter, and a custom table cover

Pain to avoid:

• Do not try to fit a full lounge and product library into 100 square feet
• Do not overcomplicate the layout
• Do not print tiny details on your backdrop, keep the message big and simple

Once you have proven that shows work and you know what people respond to, you can consider 10x15 or 10x20.

What about a growing retail or ecomm brand?

Scenario: You sell physical products, maybe in beauty, nutrition, merch, or lifestyle. You want to show variety: multiple SKUs, colors, sizes. You usually have 2 or 3 staffers, lots of samples, and you want people to browse.

Best size: 10x15, sometimes 10x20

Why 10x15:

• Enough room for a shelving unit plus a demo counter
• Space for people to step inside without traffic spilling straight into the aisle
• Feels more like a mini shop than a simple booth

Why 10x20 sometimes:

• You can create a showroom feel with multiple product zones
• You can add a small fitting, tasting, or testing area
• You can handle higher dwell times as people browse

A PrintDrill setup might look like:

• Back wall with lifestyle imagery and core brand story
• Side wall or flag for promotions or hero product callouts
• Branded counter for transactions or sampling
• Shelving or risers for product display
• Custom vinyl banners or mesh hanging signs to catch eyes down the aisle

 

What fits a tech or SaaS company best?

Scenario: You sell software or hardware. You need screens. You want to demo products, show dashboards, and have serious conversations. You may have 3 or 4 people working the booth, including a technical person.

Best size: 10x10 if you keep it tight, 10x15 or 10x20 if you run multiple demos

In a 10x10:

• One screen mounted on or in front of the back wall
• One PrintDrill counter with laptop
• Very simple graphics that explain what you do in 3 to 5 words

In a 10x15:

• One main demo station
• One secondary station for a different workflow or product
• One small bar height table for deeper chats

In a 10x20:

• Separate zones for discovery, quick demo, and deeper meetings
• Possibly a small enclosed or semi enclosed meeting corner

Because tech demos often create longer dwell times, you want enough space that people can stand and watch without blocking others from entering. Studies show that booths with interactive elements and longer dwell time often generate higher quality leads, but only if the space feels inviting, not jammed.

What about food, beverage, or tasting brands?

Scenario: You are sampling food, drinks, or other consumables. People are lining up, trying stuff, chatting, and often double backing with friends.

Best size: 10x15 or 10x20

In a 10x10, you can still sample, but the booth often gets congested. A 10x15 or 10x20 lets you:

• Create a clear serving counter close to the aisle
• Keep product storage and prep behind or to the side
• Let people stand in a line that does not block everything

A PrintDrill kit for this type might include:

• Full color backdrop with appetite driving photography
• Branded table covers with wipeable vinyl or polyester
• Feather flags or blade flags visible from down the aisle
• Mesh or vinyl banners if you are outdoors under a canopy tent

With this kind of brand, you want enough space to keep the energy high but not chaotic. Size gives you room to manage that.

Which PrintDrill booth kits work best for each size?

Let’s tie all of this back to actual booth hardware. The goal is to think in kits, not random pieces. A booth kit is a group of products that work together visually and physically.

What kit makes sense for a 10x10 booth?

A simple but powerful PrintDrill 10x10 kit might include:

• One full width tension fabric backdrop for your main message
• One custom branded counter with hidden storage
• One fitted or stretch table cover if you are using a table
• One retractable banner to highlight a specific offer or product

If the show is outdoors, swap the backdrop for a custom 10x10 PrintDrill canopy tent, then keep the counter, table cover, and add one or two custom flags.

This keeps your layout clean, easy to set up, and very brand forward.

 

 

What kit works well in a 10x15 space?

You can build on the 10x10 base:

• One 10 foot PrintDrill fabric back wall
• One side freestanding banner or half wall on the extra 5 feet
• One or two counters, one in the center, one toward the side
• One narrow shelf or product riser

Because you have more depth, you can place the counter slightly inside the booth, not right on the edge. This encourages people to step in.

For outdoor events, combine a 10x15 canopy tent (if the event allows that footprint) with:

• Branded back wall or side wall graphic
• Printed table covers
• Flags for visibility in busy markets

What is a strong 10x20 PrintDrill booth combo?

For a 10x20, you can think of it as two connected zones.

Example kit:

• One 20 foot tension fabric back wall, or two 10 foot walls that join cleanly
• One central counter for quick questions and scanning badges
• One second counter dedicated to demos or sampling
• One small seating corner with printed floor graphic underneath
• A side banner or tower to highlight a hero product, offer, or tagline

If you exhibit under a large outdoor footprint, a 10x20 canopy tent from PrintDrill with full back wall and side walls, plus matching table covers and flags, gives you a complete “stall plus sign system” feel that stands out even in crowded festivals or fairs.

FAQs: Quick answers for booth size questions

Q: Is a 10x10 booth too small for serious exhibitors?
A: Not at all. A 10x10 is the most common booth size at many shows and can be very powerful if you design it cleanly. It is ideal when you are testing shows or working with a small team.

Q: When should I move from a 10x10 to a 10x20?
A: When you consistently feel crowded, have multiple products or demos that clash in one space, or know that trade shows already deliver solid ROI for your brand. Then a 10x20 can give you better flow and presence.

Q: Is a 10x15 worth it, or should I jump straight to 10x20?
A: If your show offers 10x15, it is a great middle step. You get more breathing room and display flexibility without doubling your space cost.

Q: How many staff should I put in each booth size?
A: A common rule of thumb is one staffer for every 50 square feet. That means 2 in a 10x10, 3 in a 10x15, and 3 to 4 in a 10x20, depending on how interactive your booth is. 

Q: Does a bigger booth automatically mean more leads?
A: Not necessarily. Bigger can help, but only if your layout, messaging, and staff engagement are strong. A focused 10x10 often beats a cluttered 10x20.

Q: How do I decide between an indoor style frame booth and a canopy tent footprint?
A: If you are exhibiting indoors, a frame based fabric booth is usually best. If you are at outdoor markets, fairs, or festivals, a custom canopy tent from PrintDrill sized at 10x10, 10x15, or 10x20 gives you both shelter and branding.

How should you decide your booth size from here?

Size choice is not about ego. It is about strategy.

Ask yourself a few simple questions:

• How many meaningful conversations do I realistically want and can handle in a day
• How many people will be working the booth at the same time
• Do I need people to see lots of products, or just understand one core offer
• Will I be doing demos, samples, or just talking
• What is my total show budget, and how much do I want to allocate to floor space versus everything else

If you are early in your trade show journey, a smart, focused 10x10 or 10x15 is usually the best move. As your show program matures and your brand is recognized, stepping up to a 10x20 can give you more room to tell your story and host deeper, more valuable interactions.

Whatever size you choose, the real win comes from layout, clarity, and consistency. A well designed PrintDrill booth with tension fabric backdrops, clean counters, and matching table covers will always feel more premium than a bigger space filled with random pieces.

If you are ready to explore size based kits, you can start with:

• PrintDrill 10x10 Trade Show Booth and Custom Canopy Tent options
• PrintDrill mid size 10x15 layout ideas using backdrops, counters, and flags
• PrintDrill 10x20 booth packages for high traffic, multi zone setups

 

Your booth size should work for you, not against you.
Pick the footprint that fits your goals, your team, and your visitors, then let the design do the heavy lifting.